New Caledonia's UNESCO World Heritage listed lagoon is a boundless playground offering infinite scope for leisure and sports activities.

The "Théâtre de l'Ile"

If you are staying for a few days in Nouméa, do not miss a performance at the Théâtre de l'Ile. Placed inside a listed building in Nouville, an old prison building dating to the 19th century, this high culture centre is renowned for the wealth of its programming, which alternates local productions and outside productions.

Nouméa, the capital city of New Caledonia is on the ocean. Several bays extend along the city, providing magnificent beaches and points of view. Besides its natural features, Nouméa also has very attractive cultural offerings for tourists who choose to visit there.

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

The old marine infantry military fort

Touho military fort was built as from 1864 by troops from the marine infantry; it’s located on the east coast of New Caledonia, and was in use up to 1916. It has now fallen to ruins, but the building remains visitable with the agreement of the current owner of the premises.

During its fifty years of use, the military fort was mainly used as protection for the people of Touho Mission. Those people, which included the missionaries, were sometimes targeted when conflicts broke out between the Mission and the neighboring tribes.

It was after an attack on the Mission on January 16, 1862, it was decided to build a military fortification. Built on a height, the fort was excellently positioned to overlook the entire Touho bay. During the Les Poyes war of 1901, the fort sheltered up to 125 soldiers and officers for six months.

At the time, the location contained not only the actual fortlet but also accommodation for the troops, latrines, a prison, a bakery, a stable, and the commanding officer's house.

After it was abandoned, the fort was bought in the twenties by the Lévêque family, who would build a colonial house between the fortlet and the prison. An anchor – a symbol of the marine infantry – is still visible on one of the location's walls.